Low actuating pressure type valve structure

ABSTRACT

A housing with flow passages and valve members actuated by low pressure is particularly adapted for respirating apparatus or other breathing apparatus. The housing has a body structure having connected portions with aligned passages, one portion having an end with the passage communicating with an inlet fitting mounted on the respective body member and the other end reduced to define a guide concentric with the passage therein. The other body portion has a valve seat adjacent to and spaced from said other end of the first body portion and a surrounding portion connected to same with a flexible seal therebetween. The seal has a resilient extendable portion and an end forming a valve element normally engaging the valve seat. The second named body portion has an outlet passage through which fluid is discharged when differential pressure on the valve element unseats same. The valve element has openings in the central portion and a flapper valve member is mounted thereon to normally close same and adapted to open in response to differential pressure thereon for flow of fluid from the inlet to the passage in the second named body portion.

United States Patent mi Rudolph June 19, 1973 LOW ACTUATING PRESSURETYPE VALVE STRUCTURE [76] Inventor: Hans Rudolph, 7200 Wyandotte Road,Kansas City, M0. 641 14 221 Filed: Dec. 6, 1971 21 Appl.No.:204,947

[52] 1.1.S. Cl. 137/102, 251/61.1 [51] Int. Cl. G05d 7/00 [58] Field ofSearch 128/1422; 137/63 R,

[56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,966,917 1/1961 Bloom137/102 X 3,608,574 9/1971 Beaussant. 137/102 3,083,707 4/1963 Seeler137/63 R 2,615,463 10/1952 Burns 137/102 X 2,871,854 2/1959 Lambertsen128/1422 2,922,430 1/1960 Rosenbaum 137/102 3,088,477 5/1963 Blooml37/5l2.2 3,228,409 1/1966 Godel 137/512.3 X 3,419,029 12/1968 Straub...137/102 X 3,435,839 4/1969 Elder 137/102 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS1,190,467 3 1959 France 137/63 R 4 Primary Examiner-Martin P. Schwadron57 ABSTRACT A housing with flow passages and valve members actuated bylow pressure is particularly adapted for respirating apparatus or otherbreathing apparatus. The housing has a body structure having connectedportions with aligned passages, one portion having an end with thepassage communicating with an inlet fitting mounted on the respectivebody member and the other end reduced to define a guide concentric withthe passage therein. The other body portion has a valve seat adjacent toand spaced from said other end of the first body portion and asurrounding portion connected to same with a flexible seal therebetween.The seal has a resilient extendable portion and an end forming a valveelement normally engaging the valve seat. The second named body portionhas an outlet passage through which fluid is discharged whendifferential pressure on the valve element unseats same. The valveelement has openings in the central portion and a flapper valve memberis mounted thereon to normally close same and adapted to open inresponse to differential pressure thereon for flow of fluid from theinlet to the passage in the second named body portion.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures LOW ACTUATING PRESSURE TYPE VALVE STRUCTUREThe present invention relates to valve devices and more particularly toa valve structure adapted for use in breathing apparatus whereinsensitivity of operation enables the valve to open and close effectivelyin response to relatively light fluid pressure.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a valvedevice which is capable of quickly assuming full flow position underrelatively light pressure, and closing substantially instantaneously asflow ceases; to provide a valve device in which all parts are ofnon-corrosive material such as suitable synthetic resins; to providesuch a device with a resilient seal and valve element carried therebythat moves in response to differential fluid pressure for directingfluid flow; to provide a valve structure for directing flow of lowpressure fluids, such as for breathing apparatus, wherein a flexiblebellows moves a valve element to a position for directing the fluidthrough the valve structure in response to the direction of flow of thefluid; to provide such a valve structure wherein the valve element opensin response to inlet flow of fluid and closes in response to reverseflow of fluid and the reverse flow is directed out of the valvestructure through an exhaust passage; to provide such a valve structurepermitting full flow of fluid therethrough in response to pressuredifferential while minimizing pressure drop through the valve structure;to provide such a valve structure having a minimum of moving parts andwherein the moving parts are resilient members to thereby provide longlife and eliminate wear on other elements of the valve structure; and toprovide such a valve structure which has great dependability ofperformance, is of simple and durable construction, is economical tomanufacture, is positive in operation, and is particularly adapted foruse with breathing apparatus.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings whereinare set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments ofthis invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a valve structure embodying features ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal secitonal view through the valve structureshowing flexible elements positioned for fluid flow in one directionthrough the valve structure.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the valve structure with portionsbroken away to better illustrate the component parts and showing theflexible elements positioned for fluid flow outwardly through an exhaustpassa e.

l IG. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the valve structure takenon line 4-4, FIG. 3 showing a flapper valve in seated position.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view through bellows taken on line5-5, FIG. 3 showing ports in the free end thereof.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing a modifiedextensible member and valve element.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 designates a valve device having a compositehousing or body 2 of joined body members 3 and 4. The body has a valvechamber 5 therein with an exhaust or outlet passage 6 and alignedpassages 7 and 8 inthe body members 3 and 4 respectively. The valvedevice l is adapted for actuation by low pressure and is particularlyadapted for use in breathing apparatus with an inlet fitting 9 forconnection to a source of gaseous fluid, such as air, oxygen, anestheticgases and the like (not shown). Also the device has a flow fitting It)adapted to be suitably connected to a mask or hose (not shown). In thebody 2 there is a valve seat Ill and an extensible member 12 with an end13 to sealingly engage same to form a continuous flow passage and aninlet valve element 14 is carried by the extensible member 12 wherebythe valve element 143 is normally closed and opened in response todifi'erential pressure acting thereon. In the illustrated structure, theextensible member 12 also forms a seal between the body members 3 and 4-and between the extensible member 12 and the body member 3 so movementof the extensible member 12 to unseat the end 13 thereof from the valveseat 11 opens the structure for flow from the passage 8 of the bodymember 4 to the valve chamber 5 and then to the outlet passage 6. Thefree end 13 of the extensible member 12 has a plurality of ports 15therein for flow of fluid from the inlet passage 7 to the passage 8 andout the flow fitting It). The valve element 14 opens the ports 15 inresponse to pressure in the passage 7 and the valve element 14 and theports 15 covered thereby are spaced inwardly from the valve seat 11.

The valve device 1 is particularly adapted for directing flow of lowpressure fluids, such as for breathing apparatus (not shown) whereinfluid flowing into the elongate resilient extensible member 12 isoperative to extend the extensible member 12 and seat the free end 13thereof on the valve seat 11 and to open the valve element 14 to permitthe fluid to flow through the valve device 1. Suction on the flowfitting 10 is also operative to extend the extensible member I12 andseat the free end 13 thereof on the valve seat 11. Fluid flowing intothe valve device 1 through the flow fitting l0 is operative to move thefree end 113 of the extensible member 12 away from the valve seat 11 topermit the fluid to enter the valve chamber 5 within the valve device Iand to flow outwardly through the exhaust passage 6.

In the illustrated structure, the body member 4, is an elongate tubularmember which is generally rectangular in cross sections and has sidewalls 16, 17, 18 and 19 and an end wall 20 for closing one end thereof.The valve seat 11 is an annular portion at the free end of a tubularflow member Zll which extends into the valve chamber 5 from the end wall20 and the tubular flow member 21 is axially aligned with the flowpassage 8 through the end wall 20. The side walls l6, l7, l8, and 19define the valve chamber or bore 5 through the body member 4 and the endwall 20 closes one end of the bore or chamber 5. The other end of thebody member 4 has a counterbore 22 forming a'shoulder 23 to be engagedby the resilient expansible member 12 to thereby fix one end thereof, aslater described.

The body member 3 is illustrated as a closure member mounted at theother end of the body member d for closing same and the closure member 3is shaped to seat within the counterbore 22 and to engage and hold theend of the extensible member 12 in clamping engagement with the shoulder23. A tubular guide member 24 extends into the chamber or bore 5 of thebody member 4 and is axially aligned with the tubular flow member 21 andhas a free end 25 longitudinally spaced from the valve seat 1 1 on thefree end of the flow'member 21. The tubular guide member 24 has aboreiaxially aligned with and forming a portion of the inlet-flowpassage 7 for communicating with the inlet fitting 9.

A tubular mounting structure 26 extends outwardly from the closuremember 3 and is positioned alignment with the tubular guide member 24.The tubular mounting structure 26 has an inlet flow passage'or boreextending therethrough and axially aligned with and forming a portion ofthe inlet passage 7 for flow of a fluid under pressure into the valvechamber 5. In the illustrated structure, the mounting structure 26 isgenerally a cylindrical member having an annular flange 27 on the freeend thereof for receiving the inlet fitting 9 thereon, as laterdescribed.

The closure member 3 is a planar member having peripheral edges shapedto seat within the counterbore 22 and engage and hold one end of theextensible member 12, as later described, in clamping engagement withthe shoulder 23. The closure member 3 has a flange 28 extendingoutwardly from the peripheral edges thereof which is positioned toengage the other end of the body member 4 to close same while theclosure member 3 holds the end of the extensible member 12 in clampingengagement with the shoulder 23. Suitable fastening devices, such asscrews 29, secure the flange 28 to the body member 4.

The elongate resilient extensible member 12 is illustrated as a flexibletubular bellows sleeved on the tubular guide member 24 and having aflange 30 at one end thereof. The flange 30 is generally rectangular inshape to have the peripheral edges thereof held in clamping engagementbetween the closure member 3 and the shoulder 23 of the body member 4.The bellows 12 is illustrated as an elongate tubular member having aplurality of accordian folds intermediate the ends thereof and the freeend 13 is a planar member having a plurality of the passages or portstherethrough for flow of fluid from the inlet flow passage 7 into theflow passage 8 when the bellows 12 is extended to have the free end 13thereof engaging and seated on the valve seat 11 at the free end of theflow member 21.

The valve element 14 is illustrated as a resilient flapper valve membermounted on the free end 13 of the bellows 12 for opening and closing thepassages or ports 15 therethrough. The resilient valve member 14 isillustrated as an annular planar member or disc having the centerthereof secured to the free end 13 of the extensible bellows 12 and theperipheral edge 31 thereof free to move to open and close the passagesor ports 15 through the free end 13 of the extensible bellows 12.

The peripheral edge 31 of the valve element 14 is thickened to form askirt having a rim extending into sealing engagement with the free end13 of the extensible bellows 12 outwardly of the ports 15 therethrough.The center of the disc 14 is spaced from the free end 13 of the bellows12 and peripheral edge 31 of the disc 14 is inclined toward said freeend 13.

The ports 15 are spaced inwardly from the valve seat 11 at the free endof the tubular flow member 21 a sufficient distance such that the rim ofthe skirt or thickened peripheral edge portion 31 will be within thetubular flow member 21 and have clearance to flex to lift the skirt awayfrom the free end 13 for opening the ports 15 in response to pressureagainst the valve element 14 beneath the skirt or edge 31 for flow offluid into the flow passage 8.

In the illustrated structure, the inlet fitting 9 is rotatably mountedon the mounting structure 26 for receiving fluid under pressure andconveying same into the valve structure 1. The inlet fitting 9 has aninlet flow passage 32 therethrough which has an end portion 33 extendingtransversely to the inlet flow passage 7 of the closure member 3. It ispreferable that the inlet fitting 9 be formed of resilient material andhave an aperture in one end thereof with the surface defining theaperture sized to sealingly engage an exterior surface of the mountingstructure 26. The inlet fitting 9 is moved onto the mounting structure26 to move the aperture over the flange 27 and seat on the exteriorsurface of the mounting structure 26.

The flow fitting 10 is illustrated as an elongate tubular flow nipple 34which is mounted on the end wall 20 to communicate with the flow passage8 therethrough and the flow nipple 34 extends outwardly from the endwall 20 for conveying fluid into and out of the flow member 21. In theillustrated structure, one end of the flow nipple 34 is threaded to bereceived within complementary threads within the flow passage 8.

An exhaust nipple 35 is mounted on the side wall having the exhaustpassage or opening 6 therethrough for exhausting fluid from the valvechamber 5 and the exhaust nipple 35 extends outwardly from the bodymember 4. In the illustrated structure, an externally threaded tubularmember 36 extends outwardly from the body member 4 and receives aninternally threaded flange portion 37 of the exhaust nipple 35.

Fluid under pressure flows into the inlet fitting 9 through a suitabletubular member (not shown), through the inlet flow passage 7 of theclosure member 3 and through the guide structure 24 to move the free end13 of the bellows 12 into seating engagement with the valve seat 11 atthe free end of the tubular flow member 21. The pressure of the fluidwithin the guide structure 24 raises the thickened peripheral edge 31 ofthe valve element 14 to permit the fluid to flow through the passages orports 15 into the flow member 21 and outwardly through the flow nipple34. Fluid is caused to flow through the inlet fitting 9 and outwardlythrough the flow nipple 34 in response to fluid under pressure withinthe inlet fitting 9 and within the tubular guide structure 24 or inresponse to suction at the flow nipple 34 or through a suitable conduit(not shown) connected thereto. Fluid flowing into the tubular flowmember 21 from the flow nipple 34 seats the thickened peripheral edge 31of the valve element 14 to close the passages or ports 15 through thefree end 13 and moves the free end 13 of the bellows 12 out of seatingengagement with the valve seat 11 at the free end of the flow member 21to permit the fluid to enter the chamber or bore 5 of the body member 4and to flow outwardly through the exhaust passage 6 and exhaust nipple35.

FIG. 6 illustrates a modified extensible member 50 and a modified valveelement 51 mounted on a free end 52 of the extensible member 50 andpositioned at the center thereof. The valve element 51 is an annularplanar member or disc having the center thereof secured to the free end52 of the extensible member 50 and the peripheral edge 53 thereofdepending from the planar portion and being thickened to fonn a skirthaving a rim sealingly engageable with the free end 52 outwardly of aplurality of ports or passages therethrough.

The center of the valve element is spaced from the free end 52 of theextensible member 50 and the peripheral edge 53 is inclined toward saidfree end 52.

The ports or passages are spaced inwardly from the valve seat 11 at thefree end of the tubular flow member 21 a sufficient distance such thatthe rim of the skirt or thickened peripheral edge'53 will be within thetubular flow member 21. The ports or passages are defined by a pluralityof circumferentially spaced spokes extending radially between a centerportion and a peripheral edge portion of the free end 52 of theextensible member 50. The spokes are sufficiently flexible to permit thevalve element 51 to be moved out of sealing engagement with the free end52 of the extensible member 50 and into the tubular flow member 21 afterthe free end 52 engages the valve seat 11.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and describedcertain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specificforms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

l. A valve device comprising:

a. a composite valve body having a valve chamber therein and an outletopening, said valve body having a tubular guide extending into the valvechamber and an annular portion forming a valve seat, said tubular guidemember and said seat being axially aligned and spaced apart within thevalve chamber, said tubular guide member and said valve seat definingadjacent ends of fluid flow passages therein;

b. a resilient extensible elongate tubular member sleeved on saidtubular guide member and in sealing engagement with the valve bodyadjacent said guide member, said extensible member havinga free endshaped to engage valve seat to close the fluid flow passage therein,said free end of said extensible member being flexible having portstherein spaced inwardly of the valve seat; and

c.v a valve element spaced inwardly from, the valve b. said flexiblefree end of said extensible member is a planar member having said portscircumferentially spaced therein; and

c. said valve element is in the form of an annular disc having thecenter thereof secured at the center of said free end of said extensiblemember and the peripheral edge thereof free to move to open and closesaid ports.

4. A valve structure for directing flow of low pressure 10 fluidscomprising:

seat and comprising a flexible member mounted on i extensible memberbeing adapted-to flex in response to pressure in the'passage in saidtubular guide member to open the ports forflow therethrough.

2. The valve device as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said valve element is in the form of a discwith the center retainedon the flexible free end of said extensible member;

b. said disc is an annular member having a thickened peripheral edgeportion forming a skirt with a rim thereof extending into sealingengagement with said free end. of said extensible member; and,

' c. said rim of said disc, is positioned outwardly of the ports in thefree end of said extensible member whereby pressure against the side ofthe valve element beneath the skirt flexs said valve element to lift theskirt to open the ports for flow of fluid therethrough.

3. The valve device as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said extensiblemember has a plurality of accordian folds intermediate the endsthereof;-

a. an elongate tubular body member having side walls and an end wall forclosing one end thereof, said end wall having a flow, passagetherethrough;

b. a closure member mounted at the other end of said tubular body memberfor closing same and forming a chamber therein, said closure memberhaving an inlet flow passage therethrough;

c. a tubular flow member extending into said chamber within said bodymember from said end wall, said tubular flow member being axiallyaligned with said flow passage through said end wall;

d. a tubular guide member extending into said chamber within said bodymember from said closure member in axial alignment with said inlet flowpassage therethrough; said guide member being aligned with said tubularflow member and having 7 a free end spaced from a free end of saidtubular flow member;

e. a resilient bellows sleeved on said guide member and having one endthereof held in a fixed position relative to said closure member, saidbellows having a plurality of ports through the free end thereof withportions of said free end defining said ports being flexible, said freeend of said bellows being movable between the free ends of said guidemember and said flow member and shaped to seat thereon;

f. flapper valve means mounted on said flexible free end portions ofsaid bellows and movable therewith, said flapper valve means and saidflexible free end portions normally closing said ports therethrough andopening same in response to fluid pressure in said tubular guide member;

g. an exhaust passage through one of said side walls of said body memberfor flow of fluid from said chamber within said body member when thefree end of said bellows is spaced from said free end of said tubularflow member;

h. a tubular mounting structure extending from said closure member inaxial alignment with said inlet flow passage therethrough, said mountingstructure having an annular flange at the free end thereof;

i. an inlet fitting rotatably mounted on said mounting structure flangefor receiving and directing fluid into said tubular guide member, saidinlet fitting having an inlet flow passage extending transversely tosaid mounting structure; t

j. means for mounting a flow nipple to communicate with said flowpassage through said end wall, said flow nipple extending outwardly fromsaid end wall; and

' k. means for mounting an exhaust nipple to communicate with saidexhaust passage through said body member side wall, said exhaust nippleextending outwardly from said body member side wall.

I i t t 4' k

1. A valve device comprising: a. a composite valve body having a valvechamber therein and an outlet opening, said valve body having a tubularguide extending into the valve chamber and an annular portion forming avalve seat, said tubular guide member and said seat being axiallyaligned and spaced apart within the valve chamber, said tubular guidemember and said valve seat defining adjacent ends of fluid flow passagestherein; b. a resilient extensible elongate tubular member sleeved onsaid tubular guide member and in sealing engagement with the valve bodyadjacent said guide member, said extensible member having a free endshaped to engage valve seat to close the fluid flow passage therein,said free end of said extensible member being flexible having portstherein spaced inwardly of the valve seat; and c. a valve element spacedinwardly from the valve seat and comprising a flexible member mounted onthe free end of said extensible member and having a portion seating onsame around the ports to close same, said valve element and said freeend of said extensible member being adapted to flex in response topressure in the passage in said tubular guide member to open the portsfor flow therethrough.
 2. The valve device as set forth in claim 1wherein: a. said valve element is in the form of a disc with the centerretained on the flexible free end of said extensible member; b. saiddisc is an annular member having a thickened peripheral edge portionforming a skirt with a rim thereof extending into sealing engagementwith said free end of said extensible member; and c. said rim of saiddisc is positioned outwardly of the ports in the free end of saidextensible member whereby pressure against the side of the valve elementbeneath the skirt flexs said valve element to lift the skirt to open theports for flow of fluid therethrough.
 3. The valve device as set forthin claim 1 wherein: a. said extensible member has a plurality ofaccordian folds intermediate the ends thereof; b. said flexible free endof said extensible member is a planar member having said portscircumferentially spaced therein; and c. said valve element is in theform of an annular disc having the center thereof secured at the centerof said free end of said extensible member and the peripheral edgethereof free to move to open and close said ports.
 4. A valve structurefor directing flow of low pressure fluids comprising: a. an elongatetubular body member having side walls and an end wall for closing oneend thereof, said end wall having a flow passage therethrough; b. aclosure member mounted at the other end of said tubular body member forclosing same and forming a chamber therein, said closure member havingan inlet flow passage therethrough; c. a tubular flow member extendinginto said chamber within said body member from said end wall, saidtubular flow member being axially aligned with said flow passage throughsaid end wall; d. a tubular guide member extending into said chamberwithin said body member from said closure member in axial alignment withsaid inlet flow passage therethrough; said guide member being alignedwith said tubular flow member and having a free end spaced from a freeend of said tubular flow member; e. a resilient bellows sleeved on saidguide member and having one end thereof held in a fixed positionrelative to said closure member, said bellows having a plurality ofports through the free end thereof with portions of said free enddefining said ports being flexible, said free end of said bellows beingmovable between the free ends of said guide member and said flow memberand shaped to seat thereon; f. flapper valve means mounted on saidflexible free end portions of said bellows and movable therewith, saidflapper valve means and said flexible free end portions normally closingsaid ports therethrough and opening same in response to fluid pressurein said tubular guide member; g. an exhaust passage through one of saidside walls of said body member for flow of fluid from said chamberwithin said body member when the free end of said bellows is spaced fromsaid free end of said tubular flow member; h. a tubular mountingstructure extending from said closure member in axial alignment withsaid inlet flow passage therethrough, said mounting structure having anannular flange at the free end thereof; i. an inlet fitting rotatablymounted on said mounting structure flange for receiving and directingfluid into said tubular guide member, said inlet fitting having an inletflow passage extending transversely to said mounting structure; j. meansfor mounting a flow nipple to communicate with said flow passage throughsaid end wall, said flow nipple extending outwardly from said end wall;and k. means for mounting an exhaust nipple to communicate with saidexhaust passage through said body member side wall, said exhaust nippleextending outwardly from said body member side wall.